Fynesse

My main issue with making ice blocks is that everything I add sinks to the bottom, then they just spend 10 minutes getting through to all the goodies, then wander away! Any ideas on how to get things into the middle??

Oh, so would I Gayle, trust me, but you have to wait for someone to take your dog to those places in the first place.

and now after reading all of this thread, Ill be purchasing 2 breakaway collars for my dogs, as they wrestle quite a bit!

My guys wear collars when at home. At one time or another all of my past dogs have gotten out (through idiot neighbour kids opening gates, or jumping out or whatever). Every time I have been contacted within an hour due to them having tags on their collars. If they didnt have the tags, I would either not have gotten the dog back due to someone keeping them, or I would be in a panic for days before getting the call from the pound. Id prefer not to spend 3 days stressing about where my dog was and if it was alive.

I would electricfy the top of the fence so when they climbed up it they got a bite from the fence..... but maybe thats just cause Im a nasty old lady who does not like kids and dislikes kids who tease dogs even more!! In all seriousness, I would speak to the parents, to me this is not acceptable behaviour, as already said, your dog deserves to live in his own back yard without being harrassed, and the fact that he is to the point of racing out and growling at the fence proves that it isnt just a one off thing.

If a vet hasnt diagnosed anything, then apply now before taking her to the vet! Most policies from what I can see have a 30 day waiting period, so wait at least 30 days before visiting the vet (though you're talking years, so wont be an issue)

I have never had pet insurance before and Im now considering insuring my puppy as Im now paranoid about hip dsyplasia. My question is: If I insure my puppy this year, Im assuming the insurance is for a year. Say he is diagnosed with HD within the first year, does that mean that come the 2nd year of insurance, it is then a pre existing condition and is no longer covered???? (therefore meaning any treatment, meds or operations after that first year is not covered?)

Hey Lovey, If you could PM me his details that would be great. Im open to all ideas and if it means driving to Syd, then so be it.

Ok, Gunna Girl, I have been on the hunt for Johns number and after many phonecalls and rude ppl from the cessnock area, I have learnt that he doesnt seem to take apointments, its just basically a go to his house and line up and wait your turn. (all well and good if you know where he lives, which I don't and I dont fancy sitting there all day either). Im also not sure on if he does dogs anymore, from what I can gather, there are so many ppl that go there now that he doesnt seem to have time for the dogs. (Only going off what I have been told over the phone). Seems everyone knows him over there, noone wants to share any information!

Any number for John??? I had someone else give me a number for a David Larrett (sp?) who is at Wallsend. Anyone heard of him? (PM me if you'd rather?)

Thats what I have heard about John. If you could find the number, I would be eternally grateful! Cat, I live in Port Stephens, so def not too far.

I know this has been done a lot, but any posts that have numbers, are years old, so thought for anyone in this area, another post with any updated details might be handy. I live in the Newcastle area, and from what I have read there is a guy called John Munro who has greyhounds near cessnock, that is good, and someone at Wyoming on the central coast. Im happy to drive, but would prefer not to have to drive to sydney (though would do it if needed for my boy).

Thanks for the help Nekhbet. Im very sorry to hear about your rottie Angus is looking great this morning, tearing around the backyard with the puppy, SO.... fish oil, Ester C and some form of joint guard (Chris, thanks for clearing that up for me re: mussels etc). Again, thanks for all the help, it is greatly appreciated.

Yep, Im on the hunt for a chiro as well!!

Thank you for all the info and help! Its very much appreciated.

Huntia, you beat me to it!!!!! Iwould love to know if there is anyone around the newcastle area as well. My boy was diagnosed with HD today and I have been told by a few different people that a chiro can help a lot.

I have been reading up about it for hours on end and have discovered that its not a death sentence and can be managed. However, after reading extensively through threads on here and other forums, Im not completely lost as to what are the best additives. I think Ive been sold on Ester C and bought some yesterday, however I think I need to give more. Ive been looking at Technyflex, Glyde, Joint Guard, Sashas blend and I just dont know what is the best!!!! From anyone who is using any of the above, comments, opinions on what is the best (or worthless) muchly appreciated.

awesome, thanks heaps guys

lab pup I believe, 8-10 weeks old.

My mother is looking for a very basic idea of a cost of flying a puppy from Brisbane to Newcastle. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I realise it might vary, but just a ballpoint cost would be great

Im waiting for it to come out on dvd so I can cry in peace at home Every person I have spoken to says it is an awesome movie

Interesting Roguedog, I had seen and tagged Lucy as a possibility as she sounds very much like the boy I have now! My boy LOVES water and will swim all day if given the chance. Plus she is only on the central coast, so that is nice and close Only issue is that we might soon be moving (funnily enough to the central coast) so things are a bit up in the air (just in terms of when the most appropriate time to get another dog is, but I just posted this so I could be prepared) Is Lucy in foster care? (ie/ not sitting on death row?)

Thanks guys. Ill be looking for something about a year old. Ideally would like something about the same age as Angus. Im a fitness freak, so need something that can run with Angus and I right away, which wouldnt work with a puppy. I am looking through breeders as well, but havent really found anything that suits, but will keep an eye oout just in case.

I was considering buying another bc puppy as a companion for my nearly year old BC male. However my conscience has gotten the better of me and I just can't buy from a breeder when there are so many rescue dogs needing homes, so I will soon be looking for a rescue dog that fits. My BC is a desexed male and has a lovely temperament (quite submissive). Should I be looking for a female dog, or will another desexed male be ok as well, as long as it isnt too dominant? Or is that just asking for trouble? The last thing I want is to introduce another dog and have it be very dominant over my boy and have him scared in what is basically 'his' yard. He will be coming with us when we start looking so we can see how they get on, but just wondering if I should just exclude one or the other from the list from the start?

My BC has food allergies. I have never before in all my years of having dogs, had a dog with a allergy, so it has been a very steep learning curve for us. From what we have learnt, he is allergic to beef and preservatives. Always had dogs that could eat anything, cheaper food, leftover scraps from the table etc. I have to watch everything Angus eats, I can't throw a bit of fat from a rump steak to him unless I want to spend the next 3 days stopping him ripping himself to pieces. The only dry food he can have are super premium brands made with chicken, and I have to read the back of the pack of any treats I buy him (but I solved that by buying a food dehydrator and drying my own lamb liver). As for the desexing, I always planned on having him desexed as soon as possible, so never came up as an allergy solver (and has made no difference anyway)